Paper Shadows

Welcome to Paper Shadows!

I’m honored to have you here as my guest. Whatever led you to this webpage, please know you’re welcome no matter who you are, what you believe, or where you come from. This space is all about perspective, personal empowerment, and reflection without judgment.

I’ve worn many hats and lived multiple roles throughout my life. Among the paths I’ve pursued, I’ve worked for media outlets and written a handful of books, and that’s where I’ve felt most fulfilled. But throughout the bulk of my life, I’ve also fought against hefty baggage. It has forced me to examine the darkness in this world while seeking out the light through various self-reflective practices. I’ve found, in my quest for balance and understanding, writing is a powerful tool. Some of the greatest truths exist in stories just as prominently as they do in nonfiction.

My journey may not be the same as yours, but I’d like to share some of the steps I’ve taken and lessons I’ve learned along the way. I also have some fiction to offer. I hope it finds you well.

Thanks for joining me for the ride.

—Lee Mitchell

Most Recent Personal Empowerment Posts

Staying Present in the Moment
The world moves at dizzying speeds, and at times all we can do is strive to keep up with it. All that hustle and bustle can throw us into mental spaces that only worsen the chaos, leaving us flailing in the maelstrom of deadlines, obligations, and logistics. Attempts to fight against the current only sapContinue reading “Staying Present in the Moment”
You Are Worth It
I recently came across an incredibly powerful video that felt worth a share. The message is simple, and yet it’s one that many of us likely need to hear every once in a while. If anything, it’s a good reminder of what we should each be telling ourselves on a regular basis. Take a look!Continue reading “You Are Worth It”
A Word Regarding Hate
I had a sad and distressing encounter a couple of weeks ago with someone who left the most awful impression on me. It was one of those interactions that leaves you too stunned to reflect at the moment, simply because the person’s conduct is so unexpectedly terrible that the brain struggles to process. The experienceContinue reading “A Word Regarding Hate”
Striving for Balance
Life doesn’t always move us in the directions we want to go, and sometimes it takes us to places we never imagined we’d find ourselves. Navigating this world can be difficult enough without unexpected roadblocks, but we humans are capable of adapting in ways that are equally surprising. Even so, finding balance on such uncertainContinue reading “Striving for Balance“
Post-COVID Recovery
My apologies for the absence. I’m still snapping back from my bout of COVID-19 last month, and I’ve made the decision to put self-care in the forefront for the next month or two. I’ll be back with new content the moment my energy levels recover. Thank you for your patience. Be well.
Level Up!
I’m sure I’m not the first person to compare life to a video game, but I think the analogy is worth the exploration. Aside from the one possible difference in how many “lives” we have to “beat” the game, the remaining aspects hold parallels that can offer some unique insights into getting through this oneContinue reading “Level Up!”
A Message Worth Sharing
I’m not one to spend much time on social media, and I typically don’t stop to watch videos and other viral clips most people share on the various platforms. There is a storm of negativity and division out there, one I have no interest in contributing to or allowing any influence over me. A lotContinue reading “A Message Worth Sharing”
Breaking the Demotivation Cycle
Ruts happen. We all know the tug that extra baggage can impose when we fail to shed the stress and negativity we pick up during our worst days. Demotivation can strip us of every bit of our momentum, even stop us in our tracks if it becomes heavy enough. Finding the inertia to continue forwardContinue reading “Breaking the Demotivation Cycle”
7 Ways to Get More Organized
Life can get hectic, so it’s easy to fall behind. Whether the house has been getting a little cluttered, work has been feeling chaotic, or meals never seem to get to the table on time, many people are struggling to keep up. I personally felt myself slip after I caught COVID-19 back in April ofContinue reading “7 Ways to Get More Organized”
7 Ways to Cut Your Cancer Risks
Cancer is the number-one cause of death across the world. According to the World Health Organization, close to 10 million people died of some form in 2020. The types that are most prevalent vary between regions—and while genetics can play a role in some cases, local and individual variables are often bigger factors. We can’tContinue reading “7 Ways to Cut Your Cancer Risks”
Applying Radical Acceptance
I learned today that a friend and peer was recently diagnosed with cancer. My first reaction, counterproductive as it may have been, was to fight tears. Granted, there’s nothing wrong with a good cry, but there’s also a time and a place. My friend is still very much alive, and his doctor caught the illnessContinue reading “Applying Radical Acceptance”
7 Ways to Improve Your Mental Fitness
Each of us is only as sharp, productive and well-adjusted as we push ourselves to be. Because we human beings are flawed creatures, we must work toward being our very best. A big part of that work is finding balance in the emotional and physical aspects that contribute to our overall well-being. Some activities honeContinue reading “7 Ways to Improve Your Mental Fitness”
Embracing Imperfection
I grew up obsessed with perfection. Somehow, I’d fostered the ill-conceived belief that there was some set standard we each could achieve and indefinitely hold throughout our lives. I strove for perfect grades in school, perfect conduct at home and a perfect body, at any cost. I hadn’t yet learned that perfection is a dream—butContinue reading “Embracing Imperfection”
A Word on War
My thoughts today come inspired by the recent conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, but I’m not here to write about the devastation, the loss or who specifically I believe the “bad guy” is in all of this. Such issues are also important, and I’ve (vaguely) touched upon them where they’re relevant to this post, butContinue reading “A Word on War”
Toxic Relationship Red Flag Checklist
We may hear a lot about toxic relationships and the effects they can have on us, but many people who are in the midst of them aren’t even aware that they’ve fallen in. We can overlook the red flags, despite their broad and bright waving, for multiple reasons. When it comes to relationships, we humansContinue reading “Toxic Relationship Red Flag Checklist”
Reclaim Your Power
There’s a natural give and take that permeates throughout the universe, and each one of us is contributes to the effect. Every being we encounter has some pull on us, just as we contribute to the ebb and flow of others. Much of it isn’t a conscious effort, but the impacts are there either way.Continue reading “Reclaim Your Power”
Shedding a Narcissist-Ex
Ask 100 people what happiness looks like, and you’ll probably get 100 very different answers. We might not even realize when we’ve veered off our intended courses until long after we began pushing through the sidetracking ruts. I spent about a dozen years of my life walking around in a dream. It was a prettyContinue reading “Shedding a Narcissist-Ex”
The Power of Positivity
Have you ever been around someone who seems to light up every room they enter? Everyone around them brightens a little for their presence, and they’re the person to go to when you need help recovering from moments of confusion and despair. Negativity and positivity work in a perpetual tug-of-war dance that influences every oneContinue reading “The Power of Positivity”
Being True to You
We all want to do right by ourselves, but we may not reflect that desire in many of our priorities. Self-love isn’t always easy to give, especially when we let issues with relationships, work or even the state of the world interfere with our well-being. Sometimes, we must take a step back and remind ourselvesContinue reading “Being True to You”
Raise Your Vibe!
Happiness exists on a spectrum, and where we sit on it can shift and evolve over time. Some people live in constant states of negativity, caught in low-vibe ruts that can present as grumpiness, depression, anxiety and self-pity. Others seem to exude sunshine, smiling through the darkest days and endlessly seeking out the silver linings.Continue reading “Raise Your Vibe!”
How to Apply Mindfulness to Improve Your Life
Mindfulness is a way of framing our thoughts and actions in a way that allows us to live in the moment rather than worrying about past or future events. It teaches us to pay attention to our bodies and surroundings, shifting our focus from wandering thoughts to whatever tasks are at hand. Regular practice canContinue reading “How to Apply Mindfulness to Improve Your Life”
Staying Sane Living in a Politically Divided Country
The past few years have left some countries, the United States in particular, more divided than ever. Once close friends and family members have become bitter enemies. The media is drowning in spin. Moderates are growing rarer as left- and right-wing extremists take increasingly greater portions of the spotlight. Who isn’t at odds with atContinue reading “Staying Sane Living in a Politically Divided Country”